Ph.D. opportunity in Ocean and Marine environmental sciences
Location Moorea, French Polynesia (~30 months fieldwork) Additional time in Perpignan, France
Organization CRIOBE (Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement) In collaboration with CIRIMAT (Université Toulouse) and IRCER (Université de Limoges)
Contract Type 3-year PhD position Start date: September 1, 2025
Main Description This PhD position is part of the NACRE-3D project, funded by the French National Agency of Research, which aims to develop biomimetic artificial coral reefs using 3D additive manufacturing based on sustainable, partly recycled materials. The successful candidate will:
- Test biomimetic, durable and functionalized 3D structures in the marine environment
- Combine ex situ seeding of sexually propagated corals and in situ nursery approaches
- Optimize structures in terms of geometric, chemical and biological characteristics
- Conduct cost-effectiveness analysis comparing to current restoration solutions
- Work closely with another PhD candidate producing structures at CIRIMAT
Requirements Essential:
- Master's degree in Marine Biological Sciences
- French diving certification (Certificat d'Aptitude à l'Hyperbarie classe 1B or higher)
- Fluency in English and/or French
- Strong data analysis and scientific writing skills
- Physical fitness and willingness to work long hours
Desirable:
- Experience working with coral reefs or marine larval ecology
- Experience in computational modeling and simulations
- Ability to work independently in interdisciplinary settings
Benefits/Conditions
- Funded by NACRE-3D project (ANR-24-CE51-2845)
- Access to CRIOBE research facilities including:
- Experimental ecology station
- Ex situ larval rearing facilities
- Aquaria with controlled parameters
- In situ coral nurseries
- Diving and boat operations
- Imagery and optic laboratories
How to Apply Send the following documents to Maggy NUGUES (maggy.nugues@univ-perp.fr):
- Motivation letter
- CV with list of 3 referees
- Copy of Certificat d'Aptitude à l'Hyperbarie (CAH)
Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Application Deadline March 10, 2025 or until a qualified candidate is identified
Supervision PhD supervisor: Maggy NUGUES (CRIOBE, Perpignan) Co-supervisors:
- Sophie GUILLEMET (CIRIMAT, Toulouse)
- Laetitia HEDOUIN (CRIOBE, Moorea)
Doctoral School: Ecole Doctorale 472 PSL-EPHE, doctorat PSL, mention Océanologie biologique et Environnement marin
